Page 3 of A Diagnosis Dark & Deadly

“Probably reacquaint myself with Jack Daniels,” she said with a rueful smile.

“You don’t drink,” he toldher.

“I know,” she said, looking at him. She sighed and slouched her shoulders slightly. “I’ll probably end up taking a long bath, watching romantic comedies, and eating lots and lots of chocolate.”

“Do you want some company?” he asked her before he could even think.

Olivia looked at his face suspiciously, studying his features for any sort of tell about his true intentions. Her eyes drifted over his sky blue eyes, down to his cheeks, and then to his lips. Realizing she had been staring, she blushed slightly and forced her eyes back into his. He didn’t seem to be kidding, and there didn’t seem to be an ulterior motive…

“That would be nice,” she told him softly, nodding.

The two stood together and began to walk to the parking garage. Both were extra careful not to accidentally brush shoulders with the other, afraid to touch, afraid to feel. They decided that Mason would follow Olivia in his car, so whenever he decided to leave, he was able to doso.

As she drove, Olivia gripped the steering wheel tightly, causing her knuckles to go white. Her heater was on full blast, but she left the radio off so she could listen to the rain fall. Was this the right idea? Should she really be doingthis?

It didn’t matter; there was no going backnow.